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Evidence of rugby in Victoria dates back to the 1840s, with records showing early rugby games amongst the miners.[1] The first known rugby game under the codified rules developed by the inaugural Rugby Football Union in Victoria took place in late June 1878 between Sydney's Waratah rugby club and Melbourne's Carlton Football Club at the MCG. The Waratah team won.[2]
The first instance of a provincial rugby side in Victoria was in 1888. The newly established Melbourne Rugby club convened trials to select a 15 to play the touring British. 6,000 people attended a 15-5 loss to the tourists.[1] In 1894 after the fledgling Victorian Rugby Union opened official dialogue to begin intercolonial matches against NSW. Victoria won the first game 3-0.[3] The VRU union became defunct in the late 1890s but was re-established in 1908 to play a practice match against the Wallabies departing for an English tour.[3] The representative Victorian side wore blue and gold, and lost 26-6 in front of 1,500 people at the MCG.
- ^ a b "Rugby in the Colony of Victoria". Colonial Rugby.
- ^ "Footy Almanac". Footy Alamanac.
- ^ a b http://www.vicrugby.com.au/